1951 All-Pro Team Explained

The 1951 All-Pro Team consisted of American football players in the National Football League (NFL) chosen as best at their position for the 1951 NFL season. Several rival journalistic organizations named All-Pro teams in 1951, there was no official league honor by that designation.

Background

The 1951 NFL All-Pro Team is something of a misnomer. This was not an official league-sponsored honor, nor was the team a single entity. In fact, several different rival journalistic institutions — all independent of the NFL — each named their own All-Pro Teams following the conclusion of play in the 1951 NFL season.

The first of the three most important 1951 All-Pro teams was announced on December 19 by the United Press (UP).^[1] With the NFL's permanent adoption of the free substitution rule on January 23, 1950,^[2] it was clear by this date to virtually all observers that "the days of the 30- and 60-minute player" were "apparently doomed."^[3] Consequently full offensive and defensive units were named by the UP for the first time — a 22-man roster.^[4]

Offensively, the UP followed the conventional lineup of the day, selecting two ends, two offensive tackles, two guards, a center, a quarterback, two halfbacks, and a fullback.

On the defensive side the UP selected two defensive ends, two defensive tackles, two middle guards, two linebackers, two defensive halfbacks, and one safety.

First- and second-team squads were named for each of these positions. No specialist players such as kickers, punters, or kick returners were named.

The rival Associated Press (AP), making its selections via a poll of "AP sportswriters in each city where the pros played," announced its elections early in January 1952.^[5] The 1951 season similarly marked the first time that both offensive and defensive teams were named by the AP. No "second team" was named, rather a more expansive "honorable mention" list was published.

The third, and least prestigious, of the major All-Pro teams was chosen by the staff of the New York Daily News.^[6]

Selections

The All-Pro selections were dominated by players from the Cleveland Browns (nine first-team honorees including Otto Graham and Lou Groza), New York Giants (seven honorees including Emlen Tunnell), Los Angeles Rams (six first-team honorees including Elroy Hirsch), and Detroit Lions (four first-team honorees including Doak Walker).

Consensus first-team All-Pros (13) marked with bold type.

Offensive selections Position Player Team Selector(s) Quarterback Otto Graham Cleveland Browns AP-1, UP-1, NYDN-1 Quarterback Bob Waterfield Los Angeles Rams UP-2, NYDN-2 Halfback Doak Walker Detroit Lions AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Halfback Dub Jones Cleveland Browns AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Halfback Joe Geri Pittsburgh Steelers UP-2, NYDN-1 Fullback Dan Towler Los Angeles Rams UP-1, NYDN-1 Fullback Eddie Price New York Giants AP, UP-2 Fullback John "Kayo" Dottley Chicago Bears UP-2 End Elroy Hirsch Los Angeles Rams AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 End Dante Lavelli Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1 End Leon Hart Detroit Lions AP, UP-1 [def. end] Tackle George Connor Chicago Bears AP, UP-1 [def. tackle], NYDN-1 Tackle Tex Coulter New York Giants UP-1, NYDN-1 Tackle Lou Groza Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1 Tackle Leo Nomellini San Francisco 49ers AP Guard Lou Creekmur Detroit Lions AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Guard Dick Barwegen Chicago Bears AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Center Frank Gatski Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1 Center Vic Lindskog Philadelphia Eagles AP

Defensive selections Position Player Team Selector(s) Defensive end Len Ford Cleveland Browns AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Defensive end Larry Brink Los Angeles Rams AP Defensive tackle Arnie Weinmeister New York Giants AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Defensive tackle Al Derogatis New York Giants AP Defensive guard Bill Willis Cleveland Browns AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Defensive guard Les Bingaman Detroit Lions AP Defensive guard Jon Baker New York Giants UP-1 Defensive guard Stan West Los Angeles Rams UP-2 Linebacker Chuck Bednarik Philadelphia Eagles AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Linebacker Tony Adamle Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1 Linebacker Paul "Tank" Younger Los Angeles Rams AP Defensive halfback Otto Schnellbacher New York Giants AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Defensive halfback Warren Lahr Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1 Defensive halfback Jerry Shipkey Pittsburgh Steelers AP Safety Emlen Tunnell New York Giants AP, UP-1, NYDN-1

AP Honorable Mentions

Offense

• Ends - Francis Polsfoot (Cardinals); Bob Mann (Packers); Dante Lavelli (Browns); Bob Walston (Eagles).
• Tackles - Bill Fischer (Cardinals); Paul Lipscomb (Redskins); Lou Groza (Browns).
• Guards - Abe Gibron (Browns); Bruno Banducci (49ers); Casimir Witucki (Redskins).
• Center - Frank Gatski (Browns).
• Backs - Bob Waterfield (Rams); Bob Hoernschemeyer (Lions); Dan Towler (Rams); Rob Goode (Redskins); Joe Geri (Steelers); Joe Perry (49ers); John Dottley (Bears); Bob Celeri (Yanks).

Defense

• Defensive Ends - Ed Sprinkle (Bears); Ray Poole Giants.
• Defensive Tackles - John Kissell (Browns); Mike McCormack (Yanks).
• Middle Guards - Visco Grgich (49ers); Alex Agase (Browns).
• Linebackers - Tony Adamle (Browns); Tommy Thompson (Browns).
• Defensive Halfbacks - Howard Hartley (Steelers); Don Doll (Lions); Harry Gilmer (Redskins); Jack Christiansen (Lions).
• Safety - Buddy Young (Yanks).

Notes and References

1. Earl Wright, "Cleveland Browns Win Nine Berths on All-NFL Team," Wichita Eagle, Dec. 19, 1951, p. 10.
2. Roger Treat, The Official National Football League Football Encyclopedia. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1952; p. 22.
3. Frank Eck, "Four Cleveland Browns on AP All-Pro Football Team," Chillicothe [OH] Gazette, Jan. 8, 1952, p. 10.
4. For evidence that UP did not name two platoons previously, see, for example: "United Press All-Pro Team," Santa Maria [CA] Times, Dec. 12, 1950, p. 2.
5. Frank Eck, "Four Cleveland Browns on AP All-Pro Football Team," Chillicothe [OH] Gazette, Jan. 8, 1952, p. 10.
6. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1951/allpro.htm "1951 NFL All-Pros,"